Dr. James Otani is committed to providing high-quality, personalized orthodontic care with a focus on excellence, integrity, and building meaningful relationships with his patients. Born in Japan and raised in sunny San Jose, California, he grew up enjoying sports, scouting, and surfing—experiences that helped shape his work ethic and attention to detail.
He earned his degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University, where he received academic scholarships. After his Freshman year, he served a two-year mission in Kobe, Japan. It was during this time in his life that he began to appreciate the impact a confident smile can have, ultimately inspiring him to pursue a career in orthodontics.
Dr. Otani completed his dental education at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he served as Student Body President and was recognized for both academic excellence and leadership. Upon graduation, he was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a national honor society recognizing top students in dentistry.
He then completed his three-year orthodontic residency at UT Health San Antonio, where he served as Chief Resident. During his training, Dr. Otani treated a wide range of cases, including complex surgical cases, cleft and craniofacial patients, and comprehensive care for children, teens, and adults.
Dr. Otani is experienced in modern orthodontic techniques, including braces, clear aligner therapy, MARPE, and laser gingival contouring. He is passionate about helping patients achieve confident, healthy smiles through individualized care.
Dr. Otani and his wife, Ashley, have three children and have enjoyed building their family together throughout his years of training. Outside the office, he enjoys snowboarding, wake surfing at Bear Lake and values making the most of time spent with family.
